Rotavirus Disease Burden and Molecular Epidemiology in Children with Acute Diarrhoea Age Less than 5 Years in Nepal

Ar Panta,Bd Pandey,Jb Sherchand,M Yookoo,Na Cuncliffe,O Nakagomi,P Niraula,S Tandukar

doi:10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5360

Abstract

Introduction: Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine rotavirus disease burden and distribution of rotavirus genotypes in children less than five years of age. Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 1768 hospital admitted children under 5 years of age with acute watery diarrhea during November 2005 to October 2008. Rotavirus in stool samples was detected by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) and positive specimens for rotavirus positive was genotyped by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and sequencing methods. Results: The prevalence of rotavirus was 36.59% (647/1768). Detection was higher in male (33.3%) than female (26.9%). The prevalence was higher during the month of January (2005-06) and February in other periods. During 2005-06, high prevalence of rotavirus was noted in children of age between 6-11 months while in 2006-07 and 2007-08 high prevalence was seen in age group 12-23 months. The most common genotyping of rotavirus identified 5 G types and 3 P types. Genotypes G12 and P [8] were most common during both periods studied (G12; 50%, 29% 33.7% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively and P[8]; 47%, 35% and 43.5% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively). Among six combined genotypes, G12P [6] was most prevalent (34%, 24% and 47.5% in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively) where as G1P [6] (4%) was seen in year 2007- 08 only. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the burden of rotavirus diarrhea in Nepal. The data on rotavirus genotypes will help inform decisions as to whether rotavirus vaccine should be considered for inclusion in to Nepal’s National Immunization Program. Key words: Rotavirus; Diarrhea; Genotyping; Children DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5360 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 209-215

Highlights

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide
Stool samples were analyzed for rotavirus by using Premier Rotaclone which is Enzyme Immunoassay Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) (Meridian Bioscience, USA) for the detection of rotavirus antigen in human fecal samples according to the instructions of the manufacturer
Of them 647 (36.59%) cases were positive for rotavirus by EIA, among the positive cases, 480 samples were carried out genotyping by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Summary

Introduction

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine rotavirus disease burden and distribution of rotavirus genotypes in children less than five years of age. A global estimate suggests that 19% of total child deaths are attributable to diarrhoea and 73% of these deaths are concentrated in 15 developing countries. It is the second commonest cause of death due to infectious diseases in children under five and a major cause of adult death in such countries. The most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhoea among children worldwide. It is estimated to be responsible for more than 600,000 deaths per year in these children with 85% occurring in low-income countries

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